A Watershed Management Plan for Saratoga Lake

Executive Summary March 2002

1 A Watershed Management Plan for Saratoga Lake March 2002

The US Environmental Protection Agency has provided funding for this project under the Wetland Development Grant Program.

This report was prepared by:

The LA group, P.C. 40 Long Alley Saratoga Springs, 12866 518-587-8100 www.thelagroup.com

For Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District This report is available on-line at www.sara-lake.org

abbreviations & glossary of terms

NYSDEC New York State Department of Chlorophyll a A compound that produces food in a plant Environmental Conservation Milfoil Eurasian watermilfoil; a nuisance NYSDOH New York State Department of Health aquatic plant species NYSDOT New York State Department of Nitrogen Plant nutrient Transportation Phosphorus Plant nutrient NYSOPRHP New York State Office of Parks, Non-point Source Water runoff from land (street runoff) Recreation & Historic Preservation Point Source A pipe discharge from a factory or NWI National Wetlands Inventory sewage treatment facility PDR Purchase of Development Rights Secchi Depth Measure of water clarity made by SEQRA State Environment Quality Review Act observing an 8” black and white disk SLA Saratoga Lake Association lowered into the water SLPID Saratoga Lake Protection and SONAR Fluridone Improvement District SONAR AS Fluridone aqueous solution SLWAC Saratoga Lake Watershed Advisory SONAR PR Fluridone precision release herbicide Committee SONAR SRP Fluridone slow release pellet USEPA United States Environmental Watershed Land that drains to a waterbody Protection Agency WQCC Water Quality Coordinating Committee

2 Saratoga Lake Watershed Boundary Map

Municipalities in the Saratoga Lake Watershed of Saratoga County Town of Ballston Town of Milton Village of Ballston Spa Town of Providence Town of Charlton Town of Saratoga Town of Corinth City of Saratoga Springs Town of Galway Town of Stillwater Town of Greenfield Town of Wilton Town of Malta

3 executive summary

Introduction The Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District (SLPID) received a grant in 1999 from the US Environmental Protection Agency under the Wetland Development Grant Program to prepare an update to the Saratoga Lake Diagnostic Feasibility Study and Management Plan completed in 1983. The 1983 plan focused primarily on in-lake water quality improvement techniques. An important outcome of the 1983 Plan was the adoption of NYS legislation that created the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District (SLPID) and a taxing district to fund an aggressive and long-term weed control program for Saratoga Lake.

The new plan summarizes information about plant in the watershed and the dramatic curtailment of the lake since 1983 and takes a broader look at wastewater flows from material manufacturing. conditions throughout the watershed. It broadens the An inventory of biological resources focusing on the scope of the 1983 Plan by examining changes in land Upper watershed was conducted in uses as they have influenced water quality across the 1932. This analysis was more of a biological survey, Saratoga Lake’s entire 244 square mile watershed. but did contain some information on the physical and Over the past two years, this watershed project has chemical quality of Saratoga Lake. focused on working with local governments in the There are five municipal entities that represent watershed to implement strategies designed to Saratoga Lake interests: the City of Saratoga Springs, the improve and protect its water resources. SLPID has Towns of Malta, Saratoga, and Stillwater and the County worked extensively on managing problems in the lake of Saratoga. In addition, there are two organizations that itself and examining watershed issues on a case by have a direct interest: the Saratoga Lake Association case basis. As recommended in the 1983 Plan, in-lake (SLA), a private, nonprofit organization; and the Saratoga management to date has focused primarily on the Lake Protection and Improvement District (SLPID), a control of invasive Eurasian watermilfoil. public agency created by the New York State Legislature. The first water quality study of Saratoga Lake The two organizations have been well represented in the occurred in 1899. This study ultimately led to the development of this report and have provided valuable construction of the first municipal sewage treatment input on many levels.

Watershed Approach The Saratoga Lake watershed covers a 244 basin in which all water that lands in the basin square mile area representing nearly one-third of eventually ends up in a single delivery point, in this Saratoga County. As a result, land use activities case, Saratoga Lake. Actions that are based on throughout the watershed have had a direct impact on watershed boundaries rather than municipal water quality in Saratoga Lake. The removal of boundaries can better target the pollution point and municipal sewage out of the watershed and the non-point sources that are in need of mitigation. The elimination of septic systems adjacent to the lake watershed approach also offers a unique opportunity during the 1980’s logically leads one to conclude that for citizens to get involved in the process. It is a non-point sources are the leading cause of nutrient method for communities to link together to develop loading to Saratoga Lake and the primary cause of its innovative ways to solve pollution problems within water quality degradation since the 1980’s. their local watershed boundaries. It is hoped that this watershed planning approach will encourage local The watershed-based approach to water quality communities and their organizations to take action planning and management considers Saratoga Lake together thereby giving this effort the best chance for and its entire drainage area as a whole, interconnected long-term success. complex system. A watershed is defined as a catch

4 Community Participation Numerous agencies and organizations are currently This public participation plan has directed the involved in various initiatives to manage and protect effort to provide outreach and to receive public input Saratoga Lake and its watershed. Implementation of regarding the watershed planning process. Four the Saratoga Lake Watershed Management Plan relies newsletters have been widely distributed to residents upon these groups to continue these successful efforts within the Saratoga Lake Improvement and Protection and expand their capabilities through the formation of District, the watershed and to community leaders. watershed partnerships. Approximately 1,500 newsletters were mailed. The final newsletter in the first quarter of 2002 provided The Saratoga Lake Watershed Advisory an executive summary of the Watershed Management Committee (SLWAC) was formed in June 2000 to Action Plan. In addition, special presentations have represent interest groups and communities within the been made on a regular basis to all municipal planning watershed. SLWAC met from June 2000 through boards within the watershed to make them aware of December 2001. Topics covered included water- the watershed planning efforts and Advisory based recreation, water quality, land use and growth Committee activities. The project has a web site trends, aquatic plant management strategies, and (http://www.sara-lake.org) where it posts all the stream corridor protection. The meetings provided an meetings, meeting minutes, reports, newsletters, opportunity to take an in-depth look at watershed issues newspaper articles and other relevant materials for from which the Advisory Committee developed the goals, easy public access. objectives and the recommendations that comprise the Saratoga Lake Watershed Management Plan.

The Physical Setting Saratoga Lake, located in Saratoga County, New York, is in the southern foothills of the approximately 21 miles north of Albany. The lake is approximately 4.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, and has 6 square miles of surface area or 3,840 acres and 23 miles of shoreline. Average water depth is 25 feet with a significant shallow shoreline zone out to a distance of 1,500 feet around most of the lake. The deepest point is located in the north central portion of the lake and is 95 feet with a smaller well of approximately 51 feet deep located in the southern portion of the lake just west of Snake Hill. Thick beds of Eurasian watermilfoil are prevalent in Saratoga Lake and are crowding out native aquatic plants and interfering with recreational pursuits. Manning’s Cove remains predominantly free of milfoil and is an extremely popular mooring spot.

Kayaderosseras Creek is the largest tributary to northwest portion of the watershed that consists of Saratoga Lake. There are 14 direct tributaries to steep slopes and irregular terrain. The highest Saratoga Lake, however, only four are significant in elevation in the watershed is 1,997 feet. The average terms of size and contribution to Saratoga Lake. elevation of Saratoga Lake is 203 feet above sea level. These include Mill Branch, Drummond Creek, Soils in the watershed vary greatly depending on Creek, and Coffey Creek. location and range from highly erodible to very stable. Kayaderosseras Creek has its origin in the Town of Most drinking water supplies in the county are derived Corinth before it flows through the towns of from aquifers within the unconsolidated deposits of sand Greenfield, Milton, and Malta, eventually entering the and gravel or from the underlying bedrock formations. northwest portion of Saratoga Lake. Fish Creek is the only outlet and flows in a northeasterly direction The watershed landscape can be generally eventually discharging into the Hudson River at the characterized as land that has long ago been cleared for Village of Schuylerville. farming and is slowly changing over to forestlands as farm fields are abandoned. A significant amount of the The Saratoga Lake watershed encompasses all or old forests and the new growth in these areas are now parts of 11 towns in Saratoga County including the being replaced by suburban residential development. Village of Ballston Spa and the City of Saratoga This development continues to spread into the Springs. The topography of the watershed is typical watershed in a pattern that radiates outward from the for that of the Hudson/ Valleys with urban fringe of the City of Saratoga Springs, and the generally flat or gentle slopes. The exception is the towns of Stillwater and Malta.

5 Social and Economic Setting The geographical location of Saratoga County Saratoga Racetrack, the Saratoga National Historical accounts for its interesting and colorful history. The Park and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Saratoga Lake Watershed’s earliest inhabitants were Saratoga County began to experience significant the Mohawk and Iroquois Indians, who used the land land use changes following the construction of the for hunting, fishing, and farming. Saratoga County later Adirondack Northway in the late 1960’s. Many of the became the theater of many important Colonial events, fastest growing communities in Saratoga County are including the Battle of Saratoga, which is considered also Saratoga Lake watershed communities. The the turning point of the Revolutionary War. After the watershed is quickly transitioning from an area of aging Revolution, the towns with waterpower; Ballston, urban and village centers with an economy strongly Corinth, Milton, Providence, Saratoga, and Stillwater dependent on tourism and a strong rural working developed into industrial mill towns in the 1800’s. agricultural landscape, to a busy working cityscape The economies of the other towns within the dotted with sprawling suburbs in the countryside. This watershed revolved primarily around agriculture. shift in land use is reflected most dramatically in the Agriculture remains a vital element of Saratoga County’s loss of working farms. In the last forty years, Saratoga economy. Agricultural uses are slowly but steadily County has lost over 130,000 acres of active farmland. succumbing to suburban development. The Saratoga Despite this significant loss, agriculture remains the region is most widely known for the natural mineral largest single land use in Saratoga County. waters in Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa, the

Water Quality The completion of the Saratoga County Sewer District’s municipal wastewater treatment plant in the Town of Halfmoon in 1977 resulted in all municipal sanitary wastes from Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa being diverted out of the Saratoga Lake watershed. The 1983 Saratoga Lake Study and Management Plan indicated that the implementation of this county wastewater treatment project resulted in a fifty-percent reduction in phosphorus loading and a twenty-percent reduction in nitrogen loading to Saratoga Lake. Although this had a very positive impact on Saratoga Lake’s water quality, the improved water clarity ultimately caused plant life in the lake to proliferate. Nutrients remaining in the bottom sediments continue to provide fertility for the aquatic plants to grow and the improved water clarity further exacerbates this condition. The nutrient load carried by Kayaderosseras The relationship between phosphorus and Creek has decreased during the last 18 years. The chlorophyll a is represented as a simple mathematical level of total phosphorus in the Kayaderosseras Creek equation. This enables for the prediction of ranges of may have decreased by 40-50% when compared to chlorophyll a or phosphorus when one of the values is levels found during 1981 and 1982 based on samples known. Using the above mathematical relationship, it collected in August 2000. Based on the apparent was determined that the improved water clarity of decrease in total phosphorus loading, a similar Saratoga Lake as measured by Secchi depth readings decrease in lake total phosphorus should be expected, could not be explained by the levels of phosphorus found however, this has not occurred. in the lake. It was concluded that the presence of zebra Water quality improvements to Saratoga Lake have mussels, rather than lower levels of phosphorus, was been minimal since the early 1980’s despite the responsible for the improved water clarity in the lake. diversion of municipal sanitary wastes out of the During the summer of 2000, a study was watershed for the past 25 years. Increased development conducted to monitor the water quality of Saratoga in the watershed is the likely cause since it appears to be Lake. The primary objective was to obtain current contributing phosphorous, sedimentation, and other limnological data that could be compared with pollutants through uncontrolled and untreated historical data to determine water quality trends The stormwater runoff. This type of pollution has its own results of this study indicated that the 1983 Saratoga devastating effects on the environment by altering fish Lake Study and Management Plan’s target goal of a and wildlife habitat, impairing aesthetics, by reducing 3.0-3.5 Secchi depth has indeed been met. The recreational appeal and lowering property values. Future expected phosphorus reduction that could have been watershed management efforts should focus on both the responsible for the increase in Secchi depth has not reduction of stormwater from existing sources and the been achieved, however. The increase in Secchi prevention of new sources throughout the watershed. depth is, therefore, most likely due to the filter feeding of an increasing zebra mussel population.

6 Saratoga Lake Aquatic Vegetation Management Eurasian watermilfoil (milfoil) is the primary nuisance aquatic plant species of concern in Saratoga Lake. It has been the focus of a management program since 1984, the first year of aquatic weed harvesting and overwinter lake level drawdown at Saratoga Lake. These programs have been successful in improving boat access and possibly increasing aquatic plant diversity in Saratoga Lake due to the reduction of the milfoil canopy. The harvesting program relies on mechanical aquatic harvesting and requires significant amounts of labor and equipment; it is believed this program could be improved by changing control methods and updating equipment. Another key activity since the mid-1980s has included the annual drawdowns which reduces the water level in the lake to expose, dry out, and freeze near shorebeds of milfoil. The annual drawdown combined with ice scour has been extremely effective in eliminating milfoil in these areas. Finally, Saratoga Lake was treated with an controlled by the 2000 treatment regime. Fluridone experimental application of SONAR (fluridone) in two treatment at Saratoga Lake may still be a viable and 100-acre sites during the summer of 2000. Milfoil effective control of milfoil and has strong public was not immediately controlled by two initial SONAR support among the lake community. A new SRP (slow release pellet) applications, necessitating formulation of SONAR that releases active ingredients follow-up treatments with SONAR AS (aqueous at faster rates will be available by 2003 along with solution) later in the summer to reach the desired improved treatment methods that may be more level of control. Reasonable carryover benefits were effective in controlling future milfoil in Saratoga Lake. achieved in the South Plot during the 2001 season. This plan recommends the inclusion of regular Sonar Milfoil regrowth in the North Plot, however, suggested aquatic herbicide applications in Saratoga Lake as an that the root structures of milfoil were not effectively element of any future aquatic plant control program.

Saratoga Lake Public Water Supply Saratoga Lake is currently being considered by the City of Saratoga Springs as a primary public drinking water source for the City and possibly some surrounding communities. The City is presently completing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement which will evaluate Saratoga Lake and other water supply alternatives which might be available. If Saratoga Lake is utilized by the City as a primary public drinking water source, this new demand would change the existing sole recreational use of the lake to distinctly multiple-use with an emphasis on potable water supply. If Saratoga Lake is utilized as a public water supply, management and operation plans will need to be developed to protect the lake’s water quality. The Saratoga Lake Watershed Management Plan does not take a position on the use of Saratoga Lake as a future public water supply source.

Natural Resources and Wildlife Habitat There are abundant natural resources in the In March 2000, the USEPA and Fish and Wildlife Saratoga Lake watershed that provide high quality Service released a National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) wildlife habitat. Because wetlands perform significant Report for Saratoga County. According to the NWI functions that range from improving water quality in the Report, Saratoga County has 42,801 acres of watershed to providing critical habitat for wildlife, existing wetlands and 20,954 acres of deep-water habitats. watershed wetland acreage needs protection. Since Wetlands alone account for about 8% of the County wetland losses are often incremental, involving small land area, while deep-water habitats comprise about wetlands which add up to a significant losses over time, 4% of the County’s land area. The remaining 88% of municipalities need to be fully aware of the locations, the Saratoga County consist of upland areas. Saratoga functions and the value of wetlands within their County’s wetlands consist of mostly forested types communities. Local watershed approaches need to (72%), followed by emergent wetlands (8%), scrub/ enhance public awareness of wetland values and increase shrub wetlands (7%), shallow water wetlands (7%), wetland protection while providing more certainty to the and emergent/shrub wetlands (6%). development community in the permitting process. Past outreach methods have been successful in educating the general public regarding the protection and benefits of regulatory programs for wetlands.

7 Watershed Areas in Need of Protection The Saratoga Lake Watershed Advisory Committee has identified the following areas within the Saratoga Lake watershed as those needing permanent protection from development: • Land surrounding existing protected lands including county and state forests, town parks, and land trust preserves. • Land along highly erodible streams and large waterbodies including Kayaderosseras Creek, Spring Run, Fish Creek, Lake Lonely, and Loughberry Lake. • Bear Swamp, (Q-11 on the NYSDEC Freshwater Wetland maps) • Undeveloped lands surrounding Manning’s Cove on the northwest portion of Saratoga Lake. • Undeveloped lands surrounding Saratoga Lake. • Agricultural lands. • Threatened headwater wetlands and waterbodies.

Recreational Resources Saratoga Lake has a long history of recreational A recreational use study was undertaken during boating use. Perhaps most famous was its use as a the summers of 2000 and 2001 to examine the destination for rowing competitions from various existing warm weather recreational use on Saratoga college teams during the first half of the twentieth Lake. The study found that the peak active boat use century. While competitive rowing is still a sport on Saratoga Lake was 250 boats. Since there is on the lake, other recreational pursuits, primarily approximately 3,000 acres of usable lake surface for power boating, dominate the lake now. Saratoga motor boating, this represents 12 acres per boat. Lake is a popular recreation destination due to its In recent years, Saratoga Lake has experienced a proximity to the Capital District and the Adirondack significant increase in the number, size and types of Northway. The lake also supports an excellent boats on the lake. This increase has occurred while warmwater fishery and hosts numerous annual the amount of open water in which to navigate has not statewide fishing tournaments. changed due to the continued proliferation of Eurasian Public access to the lake includes the heavily watermilfoil in the shallower portions of the lake. The used Saratoga Lake State Boat Launch and nine increased demand for space in which to launch, dock, commercial marinas. The Saratoga Lake Sailing Club navigate and otherwise enjoy the lake is creating the and several rowing clubs also have access to the lake, need for recreational planning and possible regulation and three restaurants offer either boat access or of such use of the Lake. Records kept at the NYS marina facilities/dock space. There is no publicly boat launch show substantial annual increases in its owned beach, however there are several beaches and use during the last 5 years. Boats have also increased picnic areas available to the public at various marinas. in size, creating larger wakes. This creates a concern There are currently no regulations limiting the for small craft boaters on Saratoga Lake as well as an number, concentration, or size of the docks which can increase in potential shoreline erosion. be installed on Saratoga Lake.

Land Use Regulatory Network Land uses within the Saratoga Lake watershed are regulated by a wide array of planning boards and local legislative bodies. The Saratoga Lake Watershed Advisory Committee identified a serious lack of consistency in the land use regulatory framework used by individual communities within the watershed regarding best management practices control of stormwater runoff, erosion, land management particularly during the construction phase, and Saratoga Lake shoreline protection. There is a great need to standardize these land use regulations so that uniform levels of protection of stream corridors and lakes is provided throughout the watershed.

8 goals & recommendations

Stormwater Management and Erosion Control GOAL: Reduce nutrients, sediment runoff from both developed and undeveloped land in the Saratoga Lake watershed by creating a balanced approach of watercourse buffers, improved treatment in travel corridors and better shoreline management. STATEMENT OF NEED: Non-point sources of pollution are directly related to a other pollutants from both developed and undeveloped wide variety of human impacts upon Saratoga Lake and the lands and highways located within the watershed are a watershed. Increased levels of nutrients, sediments, and constant and cumulative source of pollution.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Responsible Party Timeframe Potential Funding Sources 1. Some communities have stream corridor protection SLPID, Ongoing Individual standards. A standard ordinance with uniform County, Communities methods of protection such as a standard buffer Towns zone should be incorporated in municipalities with stream corridor protection rules. These standards will address variable buffer zones for particular streams, wetlands and shorelines. 2. Establishing greater uniformity between the stormwater Municipalities Ongoing Individual ordinances in Wilton, Greenfield, and Malta should be a Communities near term goal. Stormwater management ordinances should be implemented in the Towns of Ballston, Galway, Saratoga, Stillwater, the Village of Ballston Spa, and the City of Saratoga Springs. 3. Monitor point and non-point sources of pollution in the SLPID Ongoing NYS watershed. Develop an annual tributary and Annual Grants Nonpoint Source stormwater outfalls inventory program to identify Implementation pollution sources. Local governments should maintain Grants Program existing retrofitting programs for storm drain systems based upon the findings of the monitoring program. 4. Communities should have capital facilities NYSDOT, SLPID, Summer NYSDOT accounts for the above retrofitting programs. Municipalities 2002 5. An erosion control and stormwater runoff SLPID and Local Ongoing Local Business stabilization and revegetation plan should be Businesses developed for Route 9P along Saratoga Lake. 6. Create a model Saratoga Lake shoreline vegetation SLPID, WQCC Ongoing Water Quality buffer demonstration project where the public can Coordinating easily view it. Committee 7. Provide educational materials to watershed residents Municipal H’way Ongoing on lakeshore and watercourse buffers and vegetation. Departments 8. Provide municipal highway departments with Cornell educational materials to reduce highway-related Cooperative pollution to watercourses within the watershed. Extension Local Roads Program

9 Natural Resources Protection GOAL: Protect and conserve the physical environment of the Saratoga Lake watershed. Preserve and protect the ecological integrity of watershed natural resources. Manage fish and wildlife populations and ecological communities to provide continuing social and environmental benefits. Maintain, enhance, restore and protect habitat quantity, quality, and diversity necessary to support the living resources of the Saratoga Lake watershed. STATEMENT OF NEED: The habitats of the Saratoga Lake watershed development have had severe adverse consequences include the broad open waters of the Lake, the rivers on local watershed ecosystems. Incremental loss of and streams that flow into it, wetlands and shallow small wetlands adds up to a significant loss of water flats, forests, and agricultural lands. Although wetlands over time. There are many aquifers within fish may be Saratoga Lake’s most obvious resource, the Saratoga Lake watershed. Increased municipal many other animals and plants depend on the Lake. and residential development put additional demands Humans are also part of the ecosystem, and in many on these aquifers and increases the risk of depletion places the effects of human activities and of these resources.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Responsible Party Timeframe Potential Funding Sources 1. It is recommended that municipalities develop a Municipalities/ Ongoing EPA Environmental consistent and coordinated approach to SLPID Education Grant protecting and managing wetlands within the Program Saratoga Lake watershed. This can be accomplished through better identification and protection of wetlands consistent with state and federal law. SLPID should work with local watershed communities to identify effective means of enforcement of wetland regulations. 2. Protect regionally important wetlands such as the Land Trust/ Ongoing No Cost Great Bear Swamp. Landowners 3. Develop a system of identifications, analysis and Land Trust/ Ongoing No Cost prioritization for future sensitive watershed areas Communities and “special places” within the Saratoga Lake watershed including preservation recommendations. 4. Create a list of priority areas for the purchase of Land Trust/ Ongoing No Cost conservation easements and fee title interests to Communities protect stream buffer areas along the Kayaderosseras Creek headwater wetland areas and significant wildlife habitats within the Saratoga Lake watershed. 5. Continue to manage the watershed fisheries so DEC Ongoing No Cost that populations are stable, abundant and healthy. 6. Require as part of fishing derbies held on Saratoga NYS Office of Parks, 2002 No Cost Lake that reports of the total fish catch be Recreation & Historic submitted to NYSOPRHP, SLPID and DEC. Preservation 7. Increase participation and support of local, county , Land Trust, Ongoing No Cost state and federal Purchase of Development Rights SLPID, (PDRs) within the Saratoga Lake watershed. Communities

10 Saratoga Lake Management GOAL: Improve Saratoga Lake and watershed stream water quality. Water quality protection is a watershed issue which must be addressed at water sources. STATEMENT OF NEED: There are many town and countywide issues remediate common water quality problems and associated with improving water quality that need to increase communication and coordination among all be addressed at various levels of government. It is levels of government, as well as the public and the important to build a cooperative approach to private sector.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Responsible Party Timeframe Potential Funding Sources 1. SLPID should establish an Implementation Committee Saratoga County April 2002 Saratoga County, consisting of key government leaders and SLPID Board of Municipalities, representatives to identify needs and to implement the Supervisors SLPID Saratoga Lake Watershed Management Plan. This group would be responsible for examining all watershed needs including the lack of enforcement of land use regulations, potable water supply issues and the need for increased non-point source control. 2. Create the position of a Saratoga County Water Saratoga County May – Saratoga County, Quality Manager to provide a consistent and Board of Oct. 2002 Municipalities, professional approach in addressing watershed Supervisors SLPID management issues both in the Saratoga Lake watershed and throughout Saratoga County. It is necessary to establish this position at a county level to facilitate meeting the objectives of coordinating water quality protection throughout the entire Saratoga Lake watershed. The Manager would: • Assist SLPID with the management of Saratoga Lake, including the aquatic weed control and water level management programs. • Provide technical support to Planning Boards, Zoning Administrators and building inspectors throughout the watershed. • Assist Saratoga County communities with watershed planning including the implementation of the recommendations in this plan, stream corridor protection, wetland protection and the EPA Phase 2 stormwater management requirements. • Assist in the long-term implementation of the Implementation Committee’s recommendations. 3. Develop a public outreach plan to include a bi- Implementation June 2002 SLPID Saratoga annual newsletter to all watershed town and village Committee, County, boards, planning boards, interested individuals, County Planning Municipalities and organizations. This should be designed to or Consultants inform the public of the implementation progress of the watershed management plan. continued

11 Saratoga Lake Management continued

RECOMMENDATIONS: Responsible Party Timeframe Potential Funding Sources 4. Establish a permanent facility to adequately SLPID 2002-2003 Involved protect SLPID’s vital records on a long-term basis. Municipalities Space allocation should be considered in any future improvements at the Saratoga County Municipal Center, the Town of Malta Office or the NYS Boat Launch. 5. Implement a Saratoga Lake watershed County Planning December EPA Environmental stewardship program for residents, visitors and 2002 Education Grant schools, which use Saratoga Lake watershed Application resources. Create comprehensive ongoingwater Deadline resources educational programs and fund them through cooperative partnerships with local agencies and organizations. 6. Enact a Consistency Review Law to establish County Planning/ consistent review requirements and procedures for Municipalities actions involving the four communities that are contiguous to Saratoga Lake. This local law would require each board, department, or officer of these communities who directly undertake, permit, fund or otherwise approve any project, use, or activity within the Saratoga Lake waterfront to be consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the applicable State and local policies recommended in this watershed plan. 7. Lake levels of Saratoga Lake should continue to SLPID Ongoing No Cost be monitored on a regular basis throughout the year. Lake drawdown policies should be revised to address issues beyond recreation, including flood control, water quality, lake access, and better weed control. 8. Subject the construction or repair of seawalls on Municipalities/ Ongoing No Cost Saratoga Lake to site plan review by local County Planning planning boards. Review criteria should relate to preserving the lake’s natural shoreline to the greatest extent possible. 9. Applications for new docks or expansions of existing County Sheriff Ongoing No Cost docks should be forwarded to SLPID for comment when or if they are reviewed by local municipality. 10. Engage a grants writer to prepare applications for SLPID to Obtain Ongoing SLPID various grants to obtain project funding. Project Funding

12 Invasive Species Management GOAL: Prevent the introduction of, and control where possible and appropriate, nuisance non-native species which currently or potentially may cause damage to Saratoga Lake. Preserve and protect the ecological integrity of the Saratoga Lake watershed aquatic communities.

STATEMENT OF NEED: Introduced non-native aquatic plants and animals there. The aquatic weed harvesting program at which have become established in the Saratoga Lake Saratoga Lake needs to be re-evaluated to increase its watershed pose significant threats to native plants and utility in controlling nuisance aquatic weeds at animals of the watershed and impair recreational uses Saratoga Lake.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Responsible Party Timeframe Potential Funding Sources 1. Refine and implement a comprehensive SLPID Summer 2002 SLPID, County management plan for nuisance non-native aquatic plant species that utilizes an integrated approach of harvesting, lake level drawdown, herbicides and limited dredging. 2. Complete a quantitative macrophyte survey of SLPID Summer 2005 SLPID, County Saratoga Lake and Fish Creek every three years to and Towns assess the density and diversity of aquatic plants. 3. Combine annual harvesting and the application of SLPID Summer 2003 SLPID, County herbicides into the long-term plant management strategy. Future fluridone applications may include the use of liquid formulations in the later season. Larger treatment areas should be treated with the pellet formulation. An application of SONAR PR precision release fluridone is recommended upon registration of the product by NYSDEC. 4. Continue harvesting and improve the program’s SLPID Summer 2002 SLPID efficiency by extending the harvesting season through November 15 or as long as plants are standing in the water column, and begin the season as early as practicable. 5. Improve record keeping by incorporating the SLPID Summer 2002 SLPID use of a standard spread sheet to track the amounts of plants harvested, hours of effort and approximate location of harvesting completed per day. 6. Stay informed on the use of fluridone throughout SLPID Ongoing SLPID New York State and the Northeast. 7. Purchase a new aquatic weed harvester in five to SLPID Summer 2003 SLPID, Grants seven years. The new harvester should have an Or 2004 auxiliary power unit to increase the speed of movement to an off-loading point.

continued

13 Invasive Species Management continued

RECOMMENDATIONS: Responsible Party Timeframe Potential Funding Sources 8. Identify areas of water chestnut infestation in SLPID Summer SLPID Saratoga Lake and in its watershed. Use aquatic 2002 herbicides to control water chestnuts. Select a treatment program that will eliminate water chestnut. A Smalley dredge may be an appropriate means to control water chestnut in some areas. 9. Clarify SLPID’s legislative authorization to work SLPID Ongoing SLPID, Towns, within the Fish Creek channel. Seek taxing County authority for lands along Fish Creek. Consider amending SLPID’s legislative authorization to include additional areas within the Fish Creek channel

Water Quality Monitoring GOAL: Reduce nutrient, salt, sediment, and other non-point pollutant inputs to Saratoga Lake to maintain a healthy and diverse ecosystem. STATEMENT OF NEED: Increased development within the Saratoga Lake recreational appeal, impairs water supplies and lowers watershed has had a negative effect on its property values. Watershed management efforts environmental quality. High levels of phosphorus have should focus on both reducing nutrient inputs from increased weed and algae growth, which alters fish existing sources and the prevention of increases from and wildlife habitat, impairs scenic views, reduces new sources.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Responsible Party Timeframe Potential Funding Sources 1. A long-term water quality monitoring program SLPID Summer SLPID for the lake and selected entering streams 2002 should be established. 2. All applications for potable water supply use of NYSDEC/ Unknown None Saratoga Lake must be completely reviewed in NYSDOH conformity with the NYS State Environmental Quality Review Act and by the appropriate state agency.

14 Recreation GOAL: Manage Saratoga Lake, its shoreline and its tributaries for a diversity of recreational uses while protecting its natural and cultural resources. STATEMENT OF NEED: The location, easy access, and dramatically watershed’s natural and cultural resources are at risk improved water quality make Saratoga Lake a popular because of increasing recreational uses in specific destination for visitors and local residents. The future areas of the lake. safety, quality of recreational experiences and the

RECOMMENDATIONS: Responsible Party Timeframe Potential Funding Sources* 1. Communities around the lake should adopt marina SLPID/ Ongoing No Cost standards that address parking, boat pump-out Municipalities facilities, dock length, and quick launching as part of their individual land use code. SLPID should comment on future proposals for expansions of marinas during the local SEQRA process to assure that responsible design standards for marinas are considered. 2. Coordinate and improve police and marine patrol County Ongoing Individual Agencies enforcement of existing laws and regulations governing Saratoga Lake. State regulations for no-wake zones should be enforced and better enforcement should occur on Fish Creek. 3. Keep no-wake, 5-mph buoys in place until after all County/ Ongoing No Cost rowing events have ended in the fall. NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

4. Post speed limits for boats at the entrance to County/ Ongoing No Cost Kayaderosseras Creek and the Lake Lonely outlet. NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

5. Continue patrols in areas of high use and on County Sheriff/ Ongoing Individual Agencies weekends. NYS Police/ NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

15 A Watershed Management Plan for Saratoga Lake March 2002

16